Over the past few months, a committee has been looking at what they can to do save $250,000 or about half the budget of the station due to loss of PEG funding. The first draft of their recommendations are out. WYOU lost half their money already due to some “tough love” scheme of the city, where they just kept the money that should be going to WYOU. Anyways, here’s some of the things they are talking about:
RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY
Merger with the Information Technology Department
– MCC and IT staff have both identified several possible efficiencies, particularly in the field of equipment engineering and data storage, capitol infrastructure and agency staff overlap.
– A closer partnership between the two information-based divisions could help foster expansion in the field of “new media” delivery mechanisms for MCC content.
Use of Enhanced Sponsorship and other Fundraising Mechanisms
– Following a PBS model, MCC could market a sponsorship apparatus for all forms of programming. While not being as intrusive as a proper commercial announcement, a, “Brought to you by our sponsor…” plug would give a client air time while helping MCC maintain is current quality of service.
– MCC hosts extensive coverage of non-governmental public events. Another method of enhanced sponsorship could be implemented in the form of selective or themed advertisement. For example, MCC could solicit sponsorship or donors to support “environmental programming”, and such funding would support a pre-determined list of the channel’s covered extra-governmental shows that fit those criteria.
– Alternatively, groups or individuals could select ad hoc meetings individually for sponsorship.
– The MCC, the mayor, the Common Council and City Attorney’s office to investigate potential conflicts that could rise out of such a scenario.
– With the addition of fundraising responsibilities could be added to a current staff member or a new position could be created whose sole responsibility would be to solicit donations from corporate or public entities.
Direct Charges to Organizations Covered in Ad Hoc Programming
– Ad Hoc programming produced by the MCC constitutes an enormous portion of the production and staff time of the channel. While the channel currently receives little to no compensation for these productions, we believe that such programming often speaks directly to the mission and purpose of the channel itself. While that may be so, current budget woes require that we suggest possible programs that charge organizations or individuals for the time spent covering their various meetings.
– Concerns have been raised that, should groups be charged for their coverage on the channel, organizations would opt out of partnership with MCC. Such a loss of content to the channel could hurt the quality and diversity of the product created but may be an unavoidable ill produced by the need to compensate for costs incurred by coverage.
Increase Rates Currently Charge for Dane County Board Meetings
The Dane County Board is currently being charged 75% of normal production rates charged for meetings. We see little to no justification for this discount – increase to 100% so the costs of covering the County Board’s meetings are fully compensated.
Use of General Fund/Franchise Fees
PEG fees constituted an enormous share of MCC’s yearly budget and its loss puts both the channel and Madison at large in a difficult position. Despite the committee’s comprehensive survey of potential budgetary and administrative solutions, it is our opinion that no combination of the aforementioned recommendations will close MCC’s entire projected shortfall for the next fiscal year. While we believe that the implementation of our group’s suggestions will close the gap on the channel’s deficit, aid from the general fund and/or franchise fees will be required if dramatic budget cuts are to be avoided.
Mission
MCC’s mission statement has not been updated for several years and does not properly reflect modern and future technologies or a more comprehensive goal for the channel itself. Our committee has formed a suggested replacement for the channel’s mission and recommends that it be adopted in order for the channel to maintain an appropriate direction moving into the future.
Future Projects
– MCC/WYOU/Madison Metropolitan School District Partnership: Over the course of our study of the channel, the concept of a partnership or “one stop shop” of community and government public access television was analyzed. Examples of various other communities in which some version of this idea where implemented demonstrated a potential for cost savings and improvement in quality of services rendered. The close proximity to community and school district news also helped in fostering a marketplace of ideas and connectivity to the community at large.
– MCC’s partnership with other city divisions is a crucial aspect of its ability to deliver an open window into our municipal government. Getting the word out about available services or information the public may need to know in a timely fashion helps increase the value of the channel and expands the effectiveness of those divisions that might be featured. It is the committee’s hope that new ways of aiding city divisions be explored.
NOTES
This is a first draft of the recommendations, with the language pared down. They will meet on Thursday to discuss further.
Committee members have often pointed out, that much of this work was done in the absence of the two alders (Compton and Maniaci) appointed to the committee and they are worried about the commitment of those alders to carry these issues forward on their behalf.
I will have more details throughout the week that will provide more information about some of these issues.
